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Dec 24, 2009

I didn't count how many things I have done this year to improve my art career until Alyson Stanfield asked us 24 Art Marketing Questions for the end of the year. It was a snowing day with back pain, so I decided to write by hand all the answers to feel I did something productive for my art routine. Let me tell you, It made my day.
There are the question with y answers:

How did you promote your art?: I did online and offline networking, organized studio visits and make more prints of my portfolio.

What did you do to enhance your online presence?: I created a Facebook Fanpage. I got a domain name, and started a webpage.

What technological skills did you learn or improve?: Many, specially Photoshop, digital photography, Web Development, and I got a Microsoft Certification.

How many people did you add to your mailing list?: About 100, do I have contacted them after? that is a question I wish she won't ask.

Who were the top ten cool or influential people you met? I met pretty cool people this year, a group of artists and new friends of all ages.

Whom did you mentor or help out? The count is about 75 so far, a group of artist around de world looking for advice on art career in Spanish, they found me, and I'm glad to help.

Did you create a new business card, portfolio, or other marketing piece? Oh yeah, I created a full stationary package, with my logo and professionally designed format.

What medium or skill did you attempt or master? marketing in my native language, I really like the experience. For Art itself I tried mixed media (still finding myself there) and dry pastels ( I loved it)

What did you try that was completely new?: Web Coding, that is a pain in the neck but very handy for many online things I do. I can't say I'm good on it but at least nobody is going to foul me :)

What did you try that was uncomfortable, but helped you grow?: I don't like talking on the phone, specially for business but I finally feel more comfortable with my English and it is good enough to hold a professional conversation. That was tough!

What worthy cause did you support in some way?: I donated some of my pieces to a foundation that support latino art students and latin art in general.

What new art events, galleries, and museums did you visit? I visited MoMA in summer and many local galleries.

What resources did you discover?: I'm not sure but I think Twitter is my newest discovery, I now have it connected to my blog and fanpage in Facebook. Pretty handy tool.

How did you improve your studio habits?: I purged many papers, and scanning many I wanted to keep. I really like the digital storage rather than keeping papers all over the place. I also have a "to file soon" spot that I tackle every week.

What books did you read to help your career?: New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott, Mayan and Aztec Culture encyclopedia, I'd rather be in the Studio by Alyson Stanfield, and Art Forms.

What videos or films were useful? Handmade tiles by Frank Giorgini that one is the best!

What seminars/workshops/lectures did you attend or teach? I taught Blogging 101 at Expressiones Cultural Center

How did you enhance your office or studio environment?: I have a totally renovated studio Yay!

What organizations were you involved with?: Expressiones Cultural Center and CT Sculptors Society

What grants/honors/awards did you receive? I didn't expected it but I got one money reward at TRCC

What articles were written about your work? in Registro news paper of New Haven and a magazine in Barquisimeto-Venezuela

What exhibits, grants, contest, etc. did you submit your art to? I didn't submit much this year but I'm happy with the few I have been showing this year: The Barnum Museum, Slater Museum, Expresiones, Arte Inc, Lyme Art Gallery and Atlanta's Airport.

Where did you save a wad of money? I can't tell you that LOL

What was the single best thing that happened to your art career in 2009? The best thing ever is that I actually can be a full time artist, I'm healthy and have a supportive husband.

Thank you 2009 for all the wonderful things you let me have. I believe we can make things happen as long as we work on it.